Electrode



(No Model) J. A. DEUTHER.

BLBCTRODE. No. 582,721. Patented May 18,1897.

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UNITED STATES PaTnNT Orricn,

JAMES A. DEUTHER, OF BOSTON, lil'tSSAOllUSE'lVlS.

ELECTROD S'ECIFICATUN forming part of Letters Datent Io. 582,721, dated May 18, 1897.

Application tiled August 19, 1696l Serial N0.,603,171y (No model.) Patented in England September 17,I 1306,110. 20,600.

To @ZZ whom/ it nea/y concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES A. DEUTHER, of Boston, county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrodes, (for which I have obtained a patent in Great Britain, No. 20,600, bearing date September 17, 1806,) of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in electrodes; and it has for its object to construct one or both of the opposing electrodes with sections at the point where the arc is formed, so that when a section is consumed it can be replaced by a similar section without disturbing the other parts of the electrode, and so that the section which is to be consumed is separated from the main section by an intermediate section.

In the accompanying drawing, illustrating` the invention, the ligure shows two opposite electrodes, one of which embodies the invention.

Electrodes at present in general use for forming an electric arc are consumed in the operation of forming said arc, and a point is reached. where, on account of said consumption, the metallic connections making the contact between the electrodes and current from the electric system are brought within the iniluence of the heat from the formation of said are. Consequently when the electrodes are more or less consumed they are discarded before said metallic connections are brought sufficiently close to the arc formed between the opposite electrodes to be injuriously effected by the heat resulting from said arc.

Referring now to the drawing, A represents the upper electrode, and F the lower electrode, which may, if desired, be constructed identical with the upper electrode, or may be made entirely of carbon-or any other suitable material.

D is a metal rod forming the electrical con d uctor, of which there may be more than one, and to which are connected the wires E, through which the current passes to the electrode, and said rod extends through the upper Isection 13 of the upper electrode A into the top of the intermediate section O, which is a conductor of electricity and composed of carbon in any ferm more or less pure, but where, should it be found useful, of any material composed of alkaline earths and carbon. To the section O is attached the section O2 of a composition similar to that of the intermediate section.

The upper section B of the electrode A is a noirconductor of electricity or not, and may be made of any suitable material, like magnesia, which will protect the metal rods D from the heat consequent upon the formation of an arc between the opposite electrodes, as indicated by the letter G. It is evident that as the sections O and O2 are conductors the electrical conductor-rod D, which is brought into contact at the point O with the section O, connects said sections O and C2 with the electrical system and renders the metal rod D and also the point at O' practically safe from the effects of the arc formed between the opposite electrodes.

As the section O2 is consumed it may be replaced without rendering unfit for use the metal rod D or the sections B and O of said electrode. The section O2 is preferably replaced before the joint between the sections O and O2 is actually reached, so as to prevent any chance of the heat effecting said metal rod D.

The intermediate section O, placed between the main section B and the renewable section O2, acts as an electrical conductor between the rod D, embedded in the main section, and the renewable section. 1t also serves to protect the lower end of the section B and the lower end of the rod D from the heat of the are. lf this intermediate section should be accidentally injured by the heat, it can readily be replaced by a new section.

rlhe sections are preferably held together by metallic pins O3, but may be joined by any suitable conducting cement or material.

Itis obvious that several sections, such as O2, may be joined together and attached to the intermediate section O.

This invention is especially adapted for use in electric furnaces, but it is also adapted for use in arc-lighting where the upper electrode IOO preferably, or both, if desired, would have a renewable section similar to that shown in the drawing.

It will be understood that my invention is 'further adapted to other uses Where elect-ric arcs are formed.

l do not limit myself to the arrangement and construction shown, as the same may be varied Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. An electrode made in sections, three or more, one end section composed of a material which is a non-conductor ot` heat and electricity, the other end section composed of a material which is a conductor of electricity and is adapted to be exposed to the action of an electric are, and a section composed of a heat-non-conducting material which is a conductor of electricity placed intermediate of said end sections, a means for removably connecting said sections, and a means for conducting electricity through said section composed of a material which is a non-conductor of heat and electricity into said intermediate section.

2. An electrode made in three sections, or more, one end section composed of a material which is a non-conductor of heat and electricity, the other end section composed of a material which is a conductor of electricity and is adapted to be exposed to the action of an electric arc, and a section composed of a heat-noli-conducting material which is a conductor of electricity placed intermediate of said end sections, a means for removably connecting said sections, and a wire embedded in the section composed of a material which is a non-conductor of heat and electricity and leading into said intermediate section.

An electrode made in three sections, or more, one end section composed of a material which is a non-conductor of heat and electricity connected with a source oi' electricity, the other end section composed of a material which is a conductor of electricity and is adapted to be exposed to the action of an electric arc, and a section made of heatn oli-conducting material which is a conductor of electricity placed intermediate of said end sections, and a conductor passing through the lirst-named section and connected with a source of electricity and contacting with said intermediate section.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence ol two subscribing witnesses, on this 5th day of August, A. D. 1R96.

JAMES A. 'DEU'lllElt lViinesses:

D. S. PETERSON, A. L. Mnssnn. 

